Spears up for X-Factor role, Barlow struggling to fit it in

Producers of the US version of ‘The X-Factor’ are reportedly revamping the line up for the franchise’s second series Stateside, after it achieved only moderate successes on its first outing. Judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, and host Steve Jones, are all out (which presumably means Jones can return to speaking in his proper accent), meaning three new celebs are required for series two.

Rumour has it that producers were talking to Whitney Houston about a judging role before her sudden death last month, and that Janet Jackson – another possible – expressed interest but couldn’t do it because of existing clashing commitments. So now the favourite to join incumbents Simon Cowell and LA Reid behind the judging desk is one Britney Spears. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that Spears’ agent (and fiancé as of last December) Jason Trawick is currently locked in negotiations, but a deal could be struck as early as this week.

Elsewhere in ‘X-Factor’ judge news, word has it Gary Barlow may not be able to return to the UK version of the show this year, despite wanting to, because of all the celebrating of the Queen’s 60 years of rule that he’s committed to. Co-writing a song, making a TV show and organising a big gig on the Mall all to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee will make the Take That geezer very busy just as the X-2012 auditions are getting underway.

But Cowell is apparently doing everything he can to accommodate Barlow – which may or may not include persuading the Queen to move her Jubilee celebrations. If it hadn’t been for Queen Victoria, they wouldn’t be due for another fifteen years anyway. Damn Queen Victoria and her messing with Simon Cowell’s telly franchises.